about

Does money blur perspectives for a better life? Lifting the money veil from our yardsticks of progress, income and wealth, reveals the trade-offs of economic growth. The book presents new indicators of the social, economic and ecological impacts of our lifestyles and production techniques. The indicators help to identify those responsible for these impacts and account for their accountability in terms of environmental and other ("social") costs. Sustainable development is to bring about long-term prosperity without undermining its natural foundation. For the assessment of the opaque concept we need both, physical impact measures and environmentally modified ("green") indicators of income, capital and output. Peter Bartelmus opens the dialogue between frequently hostile camps of economists and environmentalists, data producers and users, and scientists and policy makers. Together, they may steer us towards a sustainable future.

"...particular attention to the pros and cons of attempting to internalise environmental costs into individual decision-making through the political process. On the whole, Unveiling Wealth is a very useful book for economists, environmentalists, policy makers as well as eco-conscious practitioners of business." (Environmental Politics, 12:3 (2003)